Nariai-ji is a Buddhist temple in the hills above the northern end of the bay, reachable by cable car and then a 20-minute walk or a short ride on the local ropeway. It is the 28th temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, one of Japan's oldest pilgrimage circuits, and it has a significant place in Japanese religious geography.
The temple complex is small but beautifully positioned, with panoramic views over Miyazu Bay and the Amanohashidate sandbar. The main hall dates from the early Edo period. Walking the wooded path up from Kasamatsu Park adds another half-hour to the excursion but the forest is pleasant and the sense of arrival at the temple is more satisfying than taking the ropeway.